In the Saddle — Natalie Colton

Date Published

CHICKASHA – The focus for this last week of the 2011-12 USAO women’s basketball team, sophomore Natalie Colton says, is defense.

“If we can just be working these last couple practices on defense that’s going to be good,” she said. “It seems like we’re moving forward, even though it’s the end of the season.”

Colton has been a versatile player all season, playing both the point guard and post positions. At 5-foot-11, she might be a bit tall for a point guard, but as a late bloomer, Colton describes her conversion to post.

“I was just always one of the smaller guards, and I didn’t really get my growth spurt until my junior year,” she said. “By then, I was this tall, awkward, thin, white point guard, and they didn’t really know what to do with me.”

At Cameron, Colton sustained an injury and couldn't play for her full potential at the Division II school and ended up reshirting her second season. But Coach Laci Tompkins continued to pursue Colton, giving her a second chance to play.

“I love basketball. I’m so passionate about the sport. I love the activity. I love the competition. I just love being on the team,” she said. “I was like ‘Wow, second chance. Love it. Yes, please.’”